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07/17/2026

St. Petersburg Housing Authority Organizing Back to School Event

ST. PETERSBURG, FL (JULY 17, 2026) - The St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA) is pleased to announce it is organizing its annual Back to School event, designed to help SPHA families prepare for the upcoming school year. This year's event will be co-hosted by Daystar Life (https://daystarlife.org) and generously sponsored by the City of St. Petersburg (www.stpete.org).

The SPHA Back 2 School Bash will be a community-focused celebration to help SPHA families prepare for the new school year. SPHA youth will receive free backpacks and school supplies while enjoying an afternoon of fun, entertainment, and community connection.

As part of the event, Daystar Life is coordinating its annual Packs & Snacks campaign, collecting backpacks and individually wrapped snacks that will be distributed directly to children and families attending the event.

Event Details:

  • Date: Tuesday, August 4, 2026
  • Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
  • Location: Thomas "Jet" Jackson Recreation Center, 1000 28th St. S., St. Petersburg, FL 33712

Event Highlights:

  • Free backpacks, snacks, and school supplies for SPHA youth
  • Free pizza and ice treats
  • Music & DJ entertainment by DJ Dondy (https://djdondy.com)
  • Face painting by Face Painting Brittni (https://facepaintingbrittni.as.me)
  • Community resources and family-friendly activities

Strengthening Community Connections:

"Our Back 2 School Bash helps our SPHA youth begin the school year with the supplies they need and the confidence to succeed," said Michael Lundy, President and Chief Executive Officer of the St. Petersburg Housing Authority. "We are grateful to Daystar Life for co-hosting this year's event and to the City of St. Petersburg for its generous sponsorship. These partnerships help make a meaningful difference for the families we serve."

The event is being organized by Kiara Lovett, SPHA's Director of Social Services, who emphasized the importance of community partnerships. "This event reflects what can be accomplished when organizations come together to support local families," said Lovett. "We appreciate the generosity of Daystar Life, the City of St. Petersburg, and all of our community partners for helping make this event possible."

Partners:

Learn More:

For more information about the event, contact: [email protected]

SPHA is the leading affordable housing provider in the city of St. Petersburg, serving more than 4,000 low-income households. SPHA's mission is to provide safe, sanitary, accessible, decent, and affordable housing to eligible citizens of the city of St. Petersburg, while enhancing and promoting resident self-sufficiency.

 

Exterior of the Thomas

Exterior of the Thomas "Jet" Jackson Recreation Center in St. Petersburg, Florida.

 

SPHA Back to School Flyer.

Flyer text is below:

SPHA Back 2 School Bash

  • Date: Tuesday, August 4, 2026
  • Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
  • Location: Thomas "Jet" Jackson Recreation Center, 1000 28th St. S., St. Petersburg, FL 33712
  • Music & DJ: DJ Dondy
  • Face Painting: Face Painting Brittni
  • Backpack Giveaway
  • Ice treats
  • Pizza

SPHA is excited to be partnering with Daystar Life Center as a co-host for this year's event!

Sponsor: City of St. Petersburg

Partners:

  • Dedicated Senior Medical Center
  • Evara Health
  • James B. Sanderlin Neighborhood Family Center
  • Lewis Williams Education Foundation
  • Lutheran Services Florida
  • Pathfinder Outdoor Education
  • St. Petersburg College (SPC)
  • St. Petersburg Police Department
  • Ultimate Medical Academy
  • Uncommon City

 

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ABOUT THE ST. PETERSBURG HOUSING AUTHORITY (SPHA):
An independent quasi-governmental entity and a political subdivision of the State of Florida, operating under Chapter 421 Florida Statutes, SPHA is the local administrative agency for housing assistance programs funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). SPHA offers a variety of programs and services that provide affordable rental housing to low-income families, seniors, veterans, and the disabled in the greater St. Petersburg region. For more information, visit www.stpeteha.org.

 

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